FCC’s Women’s Volleyball hosted their last home game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 20.
The game took place at 6 p.m at FCC’s athletic center. FCC’s Women Cougars won 3-0 against the Community College of Beaver County solidifying their winning streak of five games in a row.
“Everything was paying off today. We were making plays that we practiced yesterday and we did today,” Said Patti Westenberg, Head Coach of the team.
“And It was really cool to see everyone improve individually and put that into the work on the floor” added team player number 9, Isabella Magaña who plays in the Libero position.
The team will play their Quarterfinal game this Saturday, Oct. 29 at Cecil College, 12:30 pm.
However, the Thursday match was more than just a game. That day at the court was jam-packed with activity, but it also served to increase awareness of metastatic breast cancer. Free pink t-shirts and ribbons were given out to attendees and information on resources was available at the table hosted by the Breast Cancer Support Group sponsored by FCC in memory of Anne-Lynn Gross.
“It gives a chance for students to come out and support, promote our game, and spread awareness for something that is very important. Get a free t-shirt too!” said Alexis Melendez, Libero, player number 10.
In 2001, Anne-Lynn founded the Resource Center with help from the Frederick Community College Foundation, Incorporated. She wanted to share what she had discovered as a cancer survivor so that others seeking resources could find them when personal computers were not quite the thing yet.
The Breast Cancer Support Group grew up from the Resource Center in the Spring of 2005 when Jane Garvin, former nursing director at FCC, and Bev Grubbs, who also worked at FCC as a transfer coordinator got breast cancer three weeks apart and asked Anne-Lynn to form the group in order to give back to the community.
The group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month in the Student Center, Room H102A at 7 p.m.
“The only reason why we ever close is if FCC is closed for inclement weather or if there is a holiday and then we get a hold of our group and let them know otherwise it runs and we have closed, maybe, three times in 17 years,” said Bev Grubbs.
For Bev, the dedication to the group is very real. She wants all breast cancer survivors, from nearly diagnosed to long term remission and survival to know that they are not alone and that they are welcome to attend.
“We have simply never stopped, except during Covid but we tried to Zoom too. This has never changed. We wanted to let these women know that they weren’t alone because it is very scary and you have to fight. You have a mind body and spirit and your body heals, usually, if you catch it early but your mind and your spirit don’t heal so well if you don’t have support and you really, you really need support and so Jane and I found that everybody that comes in is, they are amazing women,” said Grubbs.
For more information on the group, or future breast cancer related events, students are encouraged to contact the student engagement center at [email protected] or Student Leadership coordinator Jennifer Moxley.
